Limassol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Limassol Λεμεσός (Greek) Limasol, Leymosun  (Turkish)
City and municipality
Trilogy buildings (left) and ONE in the distance Limassol Castle Street in the Old Town Limassol Molos Limassol Marina The Icon The Oval
Flag Seal
Limassol Location in Cyprus Show map of Cyprus Limassol Location in Eastern Mediterranean Show map of Eastern Mediterranean Limassol Location in European Union Show map of European Union Limassol Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	Cyprus
District	Limassol District
Area
• Municipality	35.87 km2 (13.85 sq mi)
• Urban	48.87 km2 (18.87 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Municipality	108,105
• Rank	1st municipality, 2nd urban in Cyprus
• Urban	198,558
• Urban density	4,063.0/km2 (10,523.1/sq mi)
• District	262,238
Demonym(s)	Limassolian(s) (en) Lemesianos (masc.), Lemesiani (fem.) (gr)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Post code	3010–3150
Area code	25
ISO 3166 code	CY-02
Patron Saint	John the Merciful (12 November)
Major port(s)	Port of Limassol

Limassol (pronounced: Lih-mah-SOL) is a lively city on the southern coast of Cyprus. It is the capital of the Limassol District. Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, after Nicosia, with many people living there.

The city of Limassol was built between two very old Greek cities, Amathus and Kourion. Its historic center is found around the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port. Today, the city stretches along the Mediterranean Sea coast, far beyond the castle and port. To the west of the city is Akrotiri, which is a British area on the island.

In 2014, Limassol was named the 3rd best up-and-coming travel spot in the world by Tripadvisor. It is also known for its good quality of life. In 2023, a huge casino resort opened in Limassol. It is one of the biggest in Europe, with 14 floors and 500 rooms.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Limassol

The name “Limassol” comes from an old Greek word, “Nemesos.” This word means “one found in the middle.” This name probably refers to the city’s location. It sits right between the ancient towns of Amathus and Kourion. Over time, “Nemesos” changed into “Lemesos,” which is known as “Limassol” in English.

Exploring Limassol's Past

How Limassol Began

Limassol is located between two ancient city-kingdoms: Amathus and Kourion. Both were founded around 1100 BC by Greek settlers. People likely started living in the Limassol area after Amathus was destroyed around 700 AD.

Signs of human life in the Limassol area go back to the Neolithic period (around 7000 BC). Places like Chirokitia show that early farming communities lived nearby. During the Bronze Age, more complex societies grew here. They traded with other regions. These early settlements helped Limassol become the city it is today.

Old writers and mapmakers didn't say much about how Limassol was founded. However, church records from 451 AD mention a local bishop helping to establish a city. This city was called Theodosiana and Neapolis. By the 10th century, it was known as Lemesos.

Limassol in the Middle Ages

Limassol's history became well-known during the Third Crusade. In 1190, Richard the Lionheart, the King of England, was sailing to the Holy Land. His fiancée, Berengaria, and his sister, Joan, were on a different ship. A storm forced their ship to Limassol.

Isaac Komnenos, the ruler of Cyprus, wanted to capture the noblewomen for ransom. He refused them fresh water. When Richard arrived, he asked Isaac to help with the crusade. Isaac first agreed, then refused. Richard captured him, and the English took over Cyprus. Richard married Berengaria in Cyprus. He also destroyed Amathus and moved its people to Limassol.

A year later, in 1191, Cyprus was sold to the Knights Templar. These were rich monk-soldiers who protected the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. They charged high taxes, which made Cypriots revolt. Richard then sold Cyprus to Guy of Lusignan. This began the French rule of the Kingdom of Cyprus.

For about 300 years (1192–1489), Limassol grew and became very rich. Its harbor was a busy center for trade and travel. This helped the city's economy and culture grow a lot.

Venetian Rule in Limassol

In 1489, the Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sold the island to Venice. The Venetians were mainly interested in collecting taxes and using the island's resources. They made everyone pay a large part of their income, whether it was from crops or animals. Travelers in the 1500s noted how poor the people of Cyprus were.

In 1538, the Ottomans captured Limassol and its castle. The Venetian governor later took back the castle. To prevent it from being captured again, he decided to destroy it. This was finished by 1568. Three years later, the Ottomans took over the entire island.

Ottoman Rule in Limassol

The Ottoman Empire invaded Cyprus in 1570 and took control. Limassol was captured in July 1570 without a fight. After taking over Cyprus, the Ottomans rebuilt parts of the Limassol castle into a new fort by 1590. The fort's basement and first floor were used as prison cells until 1950.

During Ottoman rule, Limassol had separate neighborhoods for Greeks and Turks. Christians lived in small, low houses. This was to prevent Turkish soldiers from riding horses inside. Cyprus generally declined under Turkish rule. There was little development, and education suffered due to high taxes and lack of interest from the rulers.

The church played a big role in educating Greeks from 1754 to 1821. Many new schools opened, including the Greek School in Limassol (now Laniteio Lyceum). Students learned Greek history, Turkish, and French.

Limassol as a British Colony

In 1878, the British took control of Cyprus. The first British governor of Limassol, Colonel Warren, greatly improved the town. Roads were cleaned and fixed, trees were planted, and docks were built for ships. Lanterns were installed for lighting in the 1880s, and electricity replaced them in 1912.

Early in the British rule, a post office, a telegraph office, and a hospital opened. In 1880, the first printing press started. Newspapers like Alithia and Anagennisis were published there.

By the late 1800s, hotels began to open. These changes brought by the British helped Limassol's cultural life grow. Schools, theaters, clubs, art galleries, and sports groups were all set up. This made Limassol a vibrant place.

Limassol in Modern Times

After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, many Turkish Cypriots moved to the north. At the same time, many Greek Cypriots who lost their homes in the north came to Limassol. When Famagusta was occupied, Limassol grew very quickly. More housing was needed for the new residents.

Many fancy hotels, restaurants, and entertainment places were built. Limassol became the new main business center of Cyprus, a role Famagusta used to have.

Today, Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus and has the island’s main port. It is famous for its big annual events, which bring many visitors from Cyprus and around the world.

Limassol's Location and Layout

Understanding Limassol's Municipalities

Today, the city of Limassol includes the Limassol Municipality and five other municipalities: Kato Polemidia, Mesa Geitonia, Agios Athanasios, Germasogeia, and Ypsonas. These municipalities are divided into smaller areas called quarters, except for Ypsonas.

Map of Limassol's Municipalities and their quarters

Limassol's Climate and Weather

Limassol has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Spring and autumn are short, warm, and sunny.

• Winter (December to March): The weather can be rainy and windy. Sunshine lasts about 6 hours a day. Temperatures usually range from 16°C to 20°C during the day. Nights are cooler, from 7°C to 12°C. Heavy rain and thunderstorms happen often but don't last long. Snow is very rare, usually falling mixed with rain every 7 to 13 years. In January 2022, Limassol recorded a very cold temperature of -0.8°C.

• Spring: The weather is mild and pleasant. It's sunny almost every day. Temperatures are around 19°C to 20°C during the day and 9°C at night. Rain showers and thunderstorms are common, especially in March and April. Sometimes, dust from the Sahara desert can make the air quality lower.

• Summer (May to October): This is the longest season, lasting about six months. It's sunny every day, and rain is rare. Temperatures are between 19°C and 30°C in June and September. In July and August, they can reach 22°C to 40°C. Sea mist can sometimes occur in June, but it usually clears early in the morning.

• Autumn: This season is warm and sunny. It starts in late November and lasts into December. Temperatures range from 12°C to 20°C. The weather can vary, sometimes very wet with strong thunderstorms, or very dry.

Limassol gets about 410 mm of rain each year, but this amount changes. Sometimes, droughts happen every 3–5 years. Hail is rare and usually falls between October and April.

Average sea temperature

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
17.8 °C (64.0 °F)	17.0 °C (62.6 °F)	17.3 °C (63.1 °F)	18.1 °C (64.6 °F)	20.8 °C (69.4 °F)	24.4 °C (75.9 °F)	27.2 °C (81.0 °F)	28.0 °C (82.4 °F)	27.2 °C (81.0 °F)	25.2 °C (77.4 °F)	22.1 °C (71.8 °F)	19.6 °C (67.3 °F)	22.0 °C (71.6 °F)

Who Lives in Limassol?

Limassol is the second most populated district in Cyprus. In 2021, it had 198,558 residents. Most people (77.7%) were Cypriot citizens. Others were from the European Union (8.6%) or other countries (13.1%). Between 2011 and 2021, the district gained over 26,000 new residents.

Since the 1960s, many people have moved to Limassol. After the 1974 events, many Greek Cypriots who lost their homes in the north settled here.

Limassol is also home to a large community of Pontic Greeks. They came to Cyprus after the Soviet Union broke apart. The city has also become popular with people from Russia and other former Soviet countries. Because of this, some call it “Limassolgrad.” About 17% of Limassol’s population speaks Russian, and 8% are Russian citizens.

Limassol's Diverse Past Population

Historically, Limassol had a mix of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, and Armenian Cypriots. Most Turkish Cypriots moved to the north in 1974-1975. Many Greek Cypriots from the north then moved to Limassol.

In the 1990s, some Cypriot Romani people returned to the Turkish area of Limassol. Armenians stayed in Limassol, living near the Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church. They also have the Nareg Armenian School. There is also an Armenian village called Armenochori in the Limassol district.

The number of people living in Limassol grew a lot between 1878 and 1960. The population went from 6,131 to 43,593.

Learning in Limassol: Education and Schools

Limassol has many schools, from elementary to university. There are over a hundred public schools, mostly teaching in Greek. Laniteio Lyceum is the oldest high school in the city. It was known as the Greek School when it started in 1819. It brought many new ideas to public education on the island.

Many private schools also offer classes in Greek and English. These include Saint Mary's School, The Grammar School Limassol, American Academy, The Heritage Private School, and Foley's Grammar School. The Nareg Armenian School also has a campus in Limassol.

For higher education, Limassol is home to the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT). This is one of three state universities, started in 2004. Frederick University and the University of Limassol are also private universities in the city.

Limassol's Economy: How the City Works

Tourism in Limassol grew a lot after 1974. This was because Famagusta and Kyrenia, which were popular tourist spots, were occupied. Limassol has many beaches perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The Dasoudi area has a beach with all the facilities you need, provided by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

In 1974, the Port of Limassol became the main seaport for Cyprus. Before that, Famagusta's port was the main one.

Limassol is home to many of Cyprus’s wine companies. They use grapes from the southern Troodos Mountains. Companies like KEO, LOEL, SODAP, and ETKO make award-winning wines and brandies. These are popular with locals and tourists, and many are sent to Europe.

Limassol is the biggest industrial center in the district. It has about 350 industrial units that make things like clothes, furniture, shoes, food, and metal products.

Limassol is a key trade center in Cyprus. This is partly because of the British base nearby and the people who moved here after 1974. The main shopping areas are in the city center and along the coast. This coastal area has most of the hotels, restaurants, and entertainment places. Big global shops are found on Anexartisias Street and Makariou Avenue. There is also MYMALL, the largest mall in the district.

Limassol has two ports: the Old Port (Limassol Marina) and the New Port (Port of Limassol). The New Port handles most of the commercial and passenger ships. It is one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean. It can hold about ten ships at once. The Old Port is smaller and mainly used by fishing boats. These ports help export grapes, wines, and fruits. They also import things like cereals, vehicles, and machinery.

The Limassol Marina, built in 2014, is near the Limassol Castle. It can hold 1,000 yachts.

Since 2014, Limassol has seen a lot of new construction. This is due to tourism and foreign investments. Public projects, like the redesigned Limassol Molos promenade, have made the city better. New highway flyovers and roundabouts have also helped with traffic.

Limassol is now a major center for tourism, trade, and services. It has many museums and archaeological sites for visitors. It attracts many tourists, especially during the long summer season. There are many hotels and apartments for them to stay in.

The Limassol coastline, called “The Limassol Riviera,” is growing fast. Many new homes and businesses are being built every year. As of 2024, over 70 buildings taller than 50m are planned or being built, including 32 skyscrapers. One of these is “ONE,” Cyprus’s tallest tower. Another big project is the “City of Dreams Mediterranean (CoDM),” Europe’s first and largest casino resort. In 2023, CoDM won an award for being the “Best New Luxury Casino Resort in the World.”

What to See: Limassol's Landmarks

Ancient Wonders: Archaeological Sites

Amathus: An Ancient City-Kingdom

Amathus is an ancient city-kingdom about 11 km east of Limassol. It dates back to 1100 BC and has a rich history influenced by many cultures. The most famous ruin is the Temple of Aphrodite. This was a major place of worship for ceremonies and offerings. Many tombs from the Iron Age can be found here, along with parts of public baths and other buildings in the ancient Agora. A huge limestone amphora found in Amathus is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. This vase is from the 6th century BC and weighs 14 tonnes.

Kourion: A Greco-Roman Theatre and Sanctuary

Kourion is another ancient city-kingdom, about 19 km west of Limassol. It has a long history, with important developments during the Greek, Roman, and early Christian times. The main attraction is the Greco-Roman theatre. It was first built in the 2nd century BC and made bigger in the 2nd century AD. It has been fixed up and is still used for outdoor shows, with views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates was for Apollo Hylates, the god of the woodland. It includes a temple, baths, and a wrestling school.

Discovering History: Museums in Limassol

The medieval Limassol Castle is one of the ten castles of Cyprus. The Byzantines built it around 1000 AD. A chapel was also built there. It is believed that Richard the Lionheart married Princess Berengaria of Navarre here in 1191. The castle was used as a prison from 1790 to 1940. Now, it is a medieval museum. The museum has items from 400 to 1870 AD, including cannons, wood carvings, paintings, and coins.

The Kolossi Castle, about 11 km west of Limassol, is a medieval fortress. The Knights Hospitaller built it in the 13th century. The current building, rebuilt in 1454, has a well-preserved three-story tower. The castle was important for making sugar from sugarcane. It is also linked to the famous Commandaria wine.

The Folk Art Museum is in an old house. It shows Cypriot folk art from the last two centuries. The collection includes national costumes, tapestries, and wooden chests. It also has embroidery, jackets, necklaces, and old farming tools. The museum opened in 1985 and has over 500 items in six rooms. It won an award in 1989. Visitors can learn about Cypriot culture through these handmade items.

The Archaeological Museum has many old items found in the district. These range from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period. You can see stone axes from ancient times, pottery from Kourion and Amathus, and Roman terracotta figures. There are also gold jewelry, coins, sculptures, and marble statues. The museum used to be inside Limassol Castle.

Green Spaces: Parks in Limassol

The Limassol Public Gardens are along the coast. They have many different plants, like eucalyptus and pine trees. Inside the garden, you can visit the Limassol Zoo. It has deer, moufflons, ostriches, pheasants, tigers, lions, monkeys, and many other animals and birds. The Patticheio Municipal Museum and an open theater are also in the gardens. The theater has been updated for international shows.

The Limassol Molos is a large seaside park built on reclaimed land. It stretches for 1 km and is one of the city's most popular spots. You can go Fishing, kayaking, and do other watersports from its piers. The Limassol Sculpture Park is also at Molos. It features sculptures by artists from Greece and Cyprus.

Limassol's Culture: Festivals and Fun

Exciting Festivals in Limassol

Limassol is famous in Cyprus for its lively festivals. The most well-known are the Carnival and the Wine Festival. The Limassol Carnival lasts ten days. It's full of fun and funny masks. It started from old traditions but is now purely for entertainment.

The carnival begins with a parade of the King (or Queen) Carnival. Then, there's a children’s fancy-dress competition. The Grand Carnival parade on Makariou Avenue draws huge crowds. People come from all over the island to see the floats, music groups, and costumed people. Every night, many hotels host fancy-dress balls and parties.

In early October, the big Wine Festival of Cyprus happens in the Limassol Public Gardens. It runs every evening from 8 PM to 11 PM. You can try some of the best Cypriot wines for free. The festival also has folk dancing from Cyprus and other countries, choir performances, and other fun shows.

Other notable festivals in Limassol include:

• The Limassol Street Life Festival
• The Flower Festival (Anthestiria) in May
• The Flood Festival (Kataklysmos) in June
• The Shakespeare Festival in June
• The Festival of Ancient Greek Drama

Limassol also started its first Beer Festival in July 2003. This three-day festival by the sea offers many Cypriot and imported beers. Entry is free, and beers are sold at low prices. International music plays throughout the festival.

Limassol also hosted the sixth Junior Eurovision Song Contest at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre.

Sports and Athletics in Limassol

The Alphamega Stadium, also known as the Limassol Stadium, is the second largest football-only stadium in Cyprus. It can hold 11,000 people. It is the home stadium for Limassol’s three main football clubs: AEL FC, Apollon FC, and Aris FC. AEL FC and Apollon FC are the biggest sports clubs in Limassol. They have football, basketball, and volleyball teams, plus other sports. All three football teams play in the top league, the Cypriot First Division. AEL FC and Aris FC were two of the first eight teams to form the Cyprus Football Association (CFA).

The Tsirio Stadium can hold 13,331 people. It used to be the home stadium for Limassol's football teams and the Cyprus national football team. It is also used for athletics.

The Apollon Limassol Basketball Stadium hosted the 2003 FIBA Europe South Regional Challenge Cup Final Four. The AEL BC team won, becoming the first Cypriot sports team to win a European trophy. In 2006, Limassol hosted the FIBA Europe All Star Game at the Spyros Kiprianou Sports Centre. The Cyprus Rally, part of the World Rally Championship, was also held in the Limassol district. In 2025, Limassol will host the EuroBasket.

The Limassol Marathon is an annual race series. It started in 2006 and is still held today. In 2024, over 17,000 runners from more than 70 countries took part, setting a new record. There are different races, including a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10 km Energy Race, a 5 km Corporate Race, and a 1 km Youth Race.

Limassol also has a rugby union team, the Limassol Crusaders. They play at the AEK Achileas Stadium. There is also a professional handball team, APEN Agiou Athanasiou.

Rowing and canoeing are becoming very popular in Limassol. This is thanks to the three nautical clubs in the city. The Germasoyia dam is a great place for practicing and competitions.

Getting Around: Transport in Limassol

Limassol is one of the main transport centers on the island. The city has the largest port, which handles almost all passenger ships coming to and leaving the island.

Bus Travel in Limassol

EMEL (Limassol Passenger Transport Company) is the main bus operator in Limassol. As of 2024, their network has about 53 bus lines that cover the Limassol district. They have about 150 buses, with 35 of them being electric. You can find national and regional bus links from the Limassol Port passenger building.

Sea Travel: Limassol's Port

The Port of Limassol is the largest port in Cyprus. Many commercial and passenger cruise ships stop here often.

Driving: Motorways in Limassol

Limassol is a hub for highways. The following motorways cross through or near the city:

• A1 motorway: Goes north to Nicosia.
• A5 motorway: Goes east to Larnaca and Famagusta.
• A6 motorway: Goes west to Paphos.
• A8 motorway: Goes north to Saittas village (still being built as of 2024).

Flying: Nearby Airports

Limassol does not have its own airport. However, it is close to two international airports:

• Larnaca International Airport: About 60 km north-east of the city.
• Paphos International Airport: About 50 km north-west of the city.

Bus services connect both airports to Limassol.

Famous Faces: Notable People from Limassol

Images for kids

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  Columbia Pier at Akti Olympion, 2012

• 

  The same location in 2024

See also

In Spanish: Limasol para niños